Blues

[Baily]

Hi Folks, I went to a self help group today for the first time, It was helpful but everyone there felt way better than myself. My problem is COPD. I am finding every day such a struggle, every bit of excretion causes breathlessness and I have no energy. I never get : good days : I don't understand how they have plenty energy and I don't. My throat and chest seem to be permanently sore and I have little voice, speaking on the phone is a great strain. Sorry being such a whine but my Dr. Doesn't seem to bother, I am tired of acting while in company but that is all we can do.....if we want company....no family near me and I am 75, one Lady at the class was 100 and fitter than me.. Thanks for listening....😊

[sassy59]

Hi Baily, sometimes life can be hard but you gave come to a friendly place here. What medication are you on? Your doctor has to bother and you can also contact the BLF nurses who can advise you further. Never feel alone, we are here for you.

Lovely big cat xxx

[Baily in reply to sassy59]

Thank you Sassy but what is a BLF nurse and how do you contact them .....I live in the North of Scotland.... Inhalers are Spiriva and Relvar Ellipta, the only time I feel a bit better is when I am on steroids, We shall overcome!!! 😊

[sassy59 in reply to Baily]

Hi Baily, where you see the red balloon click on that and you will get details. I think they are available during office hours but maybe someone else can confirm that. Good luck to you and hope you get a bit more support very soon. Nice to meet you anyway. xxxxx

BLF nurses can be contacted on 03000 030 555 during office hours.

[sassy59 in reply to sassy59]

Hello again Baily, I just clicked on the Home bit at the top of the page and the details are there if you scroll down a bit. Hope that helps. xxxx

[Nottobad in reply to Baily]

Hi Baily I also take relvar Ellipta I have been on it since April and find it realy good do you have a salbutamol inhaler to help when you get breathless. It is quite normal to feel breathless when doing things. Just take an extra puff of your salbutamol. Have you been referred to pulmanory rehab. Take care and welcome to the group xx

[Katinka46]

I'm so sorry that you are struggling. Is there any way you could change your doctor? It is awful to feel so unsupported. What about your respiratory nurse? They are in that job specifically for you, and should be good.

Do you think you could go to the group again? Sometimes the first time is a bit of an ordeal. If you stuck at it you might find that there are others who are suffering much as you are. Nobody is as confident as they look. We are all good at putting on the act.

Love your cat's mobility scooter. Does he make you run along behind?

Kate xx

[Jessy11]

Baily, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling down.😕 Maybe make a visit to your GP & tell him how your condition is affecting you. 🤒 It might just be a matter of changing meds or an infection may be brewing. 😷

Please don't feel you're whining! It's what we're here for, to listen & hopefuly help.

What a beautiful cat reclining on the scooter! His he/she yours? Looks very much at home 🏡

Take care & let us know how you are 🌸

[PenelopeS]

Oh Baily, you poor love I wish I could give you a hug! I shall just send you a virtual one instead. I don't blame you at all for being cheesed off & you are not being whiney. I am sure we all get fed up to the back teeth (if we still have them) with this rotten illness. If we can't have a moan on here where else can we?

All credit to you for going to a self help group, pat yourself on the back for that even if it wasn't a success.

I don't really know what to suggest but here goes. I think you ought to go back to your Dr, perhaps book a double appointment so he/she has more time & open your heart to him & explain how you feel. Ask for a referral to a specialist & discuss the medication you are on. Don't put on a brave face but spell out exactly how you are struggling. Is there a different Dr in the practice you could see if the usual one is unsympathetic?

Is there a Breathe Easy group near you that you could join? At least you would then be in the company of people who know what you are going through.

I too put on an act for visitors, I would guess most people do.

I am sorry I cannot be of any real help but try & stay positive & whine on here as much as you like.

Incidentally, I love your cat, assuming it is yours & not an opportunist visitor 🐱☺🐺!

Kindest regards Penny xxx

[Jessy11 in reply to PenelopeS]

What a lovely caring & helpful reply Penny. 👌🌺

[CDPO16]

Welcome and whine away. I understand how you feel, my good days are a thing of the past. For many of us getting through every day is an effort and meeting others who are much fitter doesn't help one's moral much, but there will always be others much fitter so it's best not to compare.

I am fortunate in having good GP and Practice Nurse support. Do you have the option of seeing a different GP? If so do it, if not see the one you have and emphasise how much you are struggling.

Don't give up on the group though if you can face going, loneliness makes everything feel much worse.

best wishes

[Watfordgirl]

Hello Baily, it's nice to meet you. I'm sorry you' ve got the blues. It must be difficult for you living alone but you'll have plenty of company here. If that's your lovely cat feeling very comfortable on the scooter then you've got a good friend in residence with you.

Remember that probably everyone else in your group is 'acting' as well and when you've been going longer you're all more likely to open up a bit more about how things really are. It's not easy but I do agree with the others that it's really worth checking that you're on the right medications. Your doctor, a different one or your respiratory nurse - whoever you have some confidence in.

Take care of yourself and I hope things get a little better soon.

Sue xxx

[Baily]

Thank you all so much, feel cheered up already. My Dr. Is excellent and very sympathetic but it's almost 6 weeks for an appt. that's what's so wonderful about this site, you get instant attention....😊. A bit of TLC. goes a long way. Daisy (. my cat. ) is my comforter, I am going to get a course of treatment in a salt cave, it might help a little..... Big Hugs All...😌

[PenelopeS in reply to Baily]

Good for you. There you are, another pat on the back, nobody can say you don't try.

I'm glad your Dr is sympathetic but it doesn't look as if that is enough, I really would go back & ask to discuss it further. Do you not have a practice nurse who looks after COPD patients? I think most GPs in England do & often they are more au fait with the medicines available, my Dr says so at any rate. I don't really know what the set up in Scotland is, except in a very vague way but can you not get an emergency appointment when you are having an exacerbation?

As Nottobad said use your Salbutamol if you are really fighting for breath, you can take two puffs every 4 hours according to my nurse. Do you try breathing techniques? There are some good videos on this site & YouTube.

Love Daisy, gorgeous big girl. How old is she? I just have 2 cats now but in my fitter youth had quite a menagerie. I had a dog called Daisy, a Bearded Collie. We had her parents, Thaddeus & Pandora & mated them once. Pandora had 12 puppies & we kept Daisy. Happy, happy days. I wish I had relished them more at the time.

Sending love, hugs & positive thoughts xxx

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi Baily and a very warm welcome to you. Could you ask for a telephone consultation when you can tell the doc just how much you are struggling. A duty doctor should have it in his power to arrange an appointment for you. At least you will be able to talk through the difficulties you are having.

Let us know how you get on.

love cx

[Baily]

Ah!! Bless you all, I have read your replies over again, and they DO. help. Unfortunately 2 of my Daughters (. I have four. ). stopped contacting me due to the fact they have marriage problems, unfortunately I cannot help them, I have managed to cope until now ( they do not live in my City ) but realistically I think that is the problem...deep down. We live in a different Planet to the young ones now. Very sad. I am sure I am not alone. 😥

[Dedalus]

Welcome Baily

[PenelopeS]

Morning Baily

I was thinking about you during the night, I hope you feeling more chipper today? ☺ xx

[Lilac22407]

Good morning Baily. Maybe there is more going on with you health wise. My doctor told me I should not be as breathily as I am and need to make an appointment with a heat doctor . Might be worth having your ticker checked out. Wouldn't it be grand if unclogging an artery gave you back some of your energy. Or there might be something else going on. I wish you all the best and nice meeting you.

[Baily]

Hello Friends, I had to go to Dr. Today , he wanted me to go into Hospital but I refused, they never do anything that helps anyway so it's back to the antibotics and steroids. I have had ECG done on numerous times so ticker must be fine. Thanks for caring....nite nite..........exhausted...☺️